Taunton 7-year-old remembered 13 years later at scholarship fundraiser

The memory of Taunton’s Rachael Henault — whose life was cut short in 1999 as the result of a brain tumor — was cherished on Sunday at a scholarship fundraiser held each year in her name. The 13th annual Rachael Henault Fundraiser and Scholarship Ceremony was held at the Portuguese-Am...

The memory of Taunton’s Rachael Henault — whose life was cut short in 1999 as the result of a brain tumor — was cherished on Sunday at a scholarship fundraiser held each year in her name.

The 13th annual Rachael Henault Fundraiser and Scholarship Ceremony was held at the Portuguese-American Civic Club, featuring an animal show, arts and crafts for the kids, barbecue and live rock music. The event has been held each summer since Henault died at age 7 from brain cancer.

“It’s so impressive that after 13 years people still come down,” said Rachael’s father, Taunton police officer Bill Henault. “We try to make it a family event as much as possible, so people feel comfortable bringing their kids.”

Bill Henault said the animal show, put on by the Bolton-based Animal Adventures, is inspired by his daughter, who adored all kinds of creatures.

“We’ve been doing the animal show since the second year,” Bill Henault said. “It’s always a big hit with the kids, and a lot of the adults as well. Rachael would have loved it. She would be in the front row wanting to hold every one of the animals — the snakes and frogs, she loved them all.”

The event is used as a fundraiser for two $2,500 scholarships that are presented at the event to two local, college-bound teenagers.

They are both given to students who plan to study for a career in either animal science, which is another tribute to Rachael, or criminal justice, given out of respect to fellow police officers who covered Bill Henault’s shifts around the time of Rachael’s final days.

Throughout the event’s history, the Fall River-based band Bob’s Day Off has provided the music. The band has a police connection because Henault has promoted a road race scholarship in honor of Thomas J. Giunta, the drummer’s father who was slain in the line of duty about 17 years ago in Fall River.

“It’s a good time and I never miss it,” said Burns, while taking in the animal show on Sunday. “It’s good to see everybody, old friends and new friends. It’s an excellent day.”

Chelsea Morey, 18, of Taunton, was one of the two scholarship recipients this year.

“I think this is a fabulous event to commemerate a brave little girl. I’m so proud to receive this scholarship,” said Morey, a recent Taunton High graduate, who plans on attending University of New Hampshire in the fall to study zoology. “I feel so honored to be selected. It’s very sad that a little girl had to pass away at such a young age. It’s a touching story. She lives on through her love of animals and her care for them.”